FLEISCHMANN REPLIES
It is very important for the Los Angeles musical public, as well as for the Los Angeles Philharmonic itself, that several of Martin Bernheimer’s “nagging questions” about the orchestra’s 1986-87 season be answered (“Previn’s 2nd Year: Some Unanswered Questions Linger,” March 18).
Why is Kurt Sanderling opening the season? Sanderling was engaged long before Andre Previn was appointed music director.
How much of the 1986-87 season was put together by Previn? About 80% of the season bears his imprint.
Why is Zubin Mehta opening the Orange County Music Center and not conducting here? By contract with the New York Philharmonic, Mehta cannot conduct another American orchestra during its regular subscription season until his sabbatical year in 1987-88.
Why is Simon Rattle, our principal guest conductor, only spending two weeks here next season? It is true that he will be here for only two programs; however, the following year he will conduct three weeks of concerts and during the 1988-89 season, he will be here for eight weeks of concerts.
Why will several well-known conductors not be on the Philharmonic podium next season? Claudio Abbado is devoting most of his energies to his music directorship of the Vienna Opera. Carlo Maria Giulini cannot leave his ailing wife for more than one week at a time per month, making it impossible for him to travel to the United States.
ERNEST FLEISCHMANN
Executive Director
L.A. Philharmonic
The biggest entertainment stories
Get our big stories about Hollywood, film, television, music, arts, culture and more right in your inbox as soon as they publish.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
